Power mechanism for harvesters and the like.



L. T. VBLBN. l 'POWER MEGHANISM FOR HARVESTERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 19, 1908.

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i APPLICATION FILED AUG.19, 1908.

1,088,384. Patented Feb. 24, 1914,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gnoznfot @mimmo y i LUTHER THEODORE VELEN, OF CLEBURNE, KANSAS.

POWER MECHANISM FOR HARVESTERS AND THE LIKE.

noeae'ei.,

, riginal application filed November d, 1907, Serial No. 400,553. Divided and this Serial No. 449,330.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 11914;.

To all whom it may concern Be .it known that l, LUTHER T. VELEN, acitizen of the United States, residing at 'Cleburna in the county of Riley and State -f This invention has relation to power yrneazliamsms for harvesters, etc., and 1t con- .sists 1n the novel construction and arrangement of its parts as hereinafter shown and described.

.lhe subjectmatter of the present inven-l tion is divided from my application for patent for harvwtcr, led in the United States .lPatent Office, on November 4, 1907, Serial No. 400,553. 1 'Jlheobject of the invention is to provide `for the employment of a mechanical motor and draft animal means for propelling and operating a-harvester or similar machine, and to employ means whereby the strain may be lautomatically distributed, so that when ascending a grade the full power of the motor may be used to' assist the animal.

l 'while in descending a grade the motor may las a plan view of the mechanisn 'be cnt on either partially or entirely.

A still :further object of the invention is to provide an engine Igovernor that is under the control of the draft animal.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a gas engine in which the power exerted is in proportion to that exerted by draft animali.

the accompanying drawings z-Figure Fig. 2 `is a yelewation out the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a spring actuated draft eonaiizing :mechanism used in the device.

Liiiig. Ziris a sectional plan view through the connecting bolt which connects the two main frames ofthe mechanism, andFig. 5 is a vertical section on the plane of the axis :oit the 'front or steering wheel.

@iznilarnumerals of reference are em- 'pioV ved to indicate corresponding- 'parts f'Ithro'ughout the several figures of the drawings.

The machine as a whole is propelled and actuated by draft' animals with the assistance or an internal combustion engine or similar moto-r mechanism, and the draft appliance and steering mechanisms areal .ranged 'on a vseparate trame 1n advance 'of the main frame which application led August The actuated mechanisms (not shown in full) are carried by a frame A, and the draft mechanism is supported by a trame B, while the structure as a whole is supported by the front wheel l0 and the driving wheels 11.

The wheel 10 is the steering wheel and is carried by a stationary shaft or axle 13, that is mounted on a U-shaped frame 14, straddllng the upper portion of the steering wheel, and from the top of this frame projects a king'bolt 15 to which is pivoted an arched bar 16 that constitutes-the forward member of the main frame A.

Secured to the opposite ends of the shaft or axle 13 is a yoke shaped bar 18, the sides of which gra ually diverge upward and forward from the axle, and the transversely extending portion of this bar is circular in cross section and supports two sleeves 2O andQl, each sleeve being provided with projecting ears 22 that are connected by suitable bolts to half-straps 23 that encircle the lower portion of the bar, so that the two sleeves may rock freely on the bar, and 'each sleeve is free for movement independent-ot the other. To the rear portion o t the sleeve 2O is pi-vo-ted the forward end oi a link 24.

the rear end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the king bolt 15. This link is reinforced by a diagonally extending brace 25 that is secured at one end to the link at a point about midway of the ends of' the latter, and at its opposite end is pivotally connected to one of the ears 22. The brace .25 is provided with auxiliary openings 27 an 28 which are to be used when t-he brace is detached from the pivot ear 22, as will hereinafter appear, thel brace being so arranged that it may be swung around to parallel relation with the link, after which a securing bolt is passed through the opening 27 and an alining opening in the link 24 in order to rigidly lock the link and brace to each other.

To the outer ends of the sleeves 2O and 2l are pivoted the ends of a pair of parallel frame Vbars 30 and 31. the forward ends of which are connected by a curved strap 32 that preferably is of such construction as to permit slight yielding movementV ot the side bars with relation to each other. These barsandpl 'are urtherqconnected `bya FQ 21. I'.

L which. passes a' cable or chain 421 VThe lower 'run ofthe' cable 42 isconnected to the rear.

cross bar 33, which is pivoted to the bars? and 31. This forms an approximately. rectangular frame which ma be: adjusted to nected members, and by turning-the nut in one direction 'Orl-.the other, the ends, Aof the brace mayjbe adjustedin order to insure the adjusting of the 'frame members to positions at a right 4angle to each other.

Where 'draft animals are employed, asin.. ,the present instance', the' draft` strain is .transmitted to the draft rigging 40 'on the af draft animal may be attached, the animal hereinafterldescribedand at the forward end of Vthis draftgriggingjis' a sheave 41 over end 'of a ,draft bar.- 43'thatv passes through ,a guide44lattached bto the 'underside of the cross bar'33. the-forward 'end of the' draft bar ifs 'secured a swingletree 45 to which being placedin the space between the swingletree 45,4 the front bar32, and the two Side bars 30 and- 31..

The upper run lof thc cable 42 is connected i to the central portion of a cross bar or tree 46 from the opposite ends of which extend two cables or chains 47, each composed of two sections, thatare connected to each other by a hook and eye 48. The forward ends of these cables are 'passed through guiding openings formedin brackets 49 projecting from the sides of thebars 30 and 31,' and at their forward terminals are .secured to a cross ba'r 50. to the central portion o'f which is connected a swingletreeLand to which the forward draft animal may be hitched. It will be seen that the tractive force exerted -by the two draft animals is transmitted to the upper and lowerA runs of the cable, and

from thence to the sheave 41 and draft gearing 40 and the strain exerted by one animal is directly opposed to that exerted by the other, thus forming an equalizing means.

In some cases, especially where the -in-' ternal combustion engine or other mechanical'inotor is employed for the traction power, it may be desired to equalize the draft more directly between the draft animals, and in this case the hooks and eyes 48 are connected to the outer ends of levers 53 which are pivoted to brackets 54 projecting from the cross bar 33, vand, thevinner ends of these levers are connected by links 55 to the clevis or similar connection between the Asw-ingletreev L5 and the draft bar .43. A

lIt is to be notedin passing tliai'tin the r structure just described an arched triangular truss 'is formed by the yoke shaped bar 18,

king pin and the diagonal brace 25 is swung around into alineme'nt with the link, a loose frame structure is formed and the yoke shaped frame 18 is then free toswing with the axle 13 as a fulcrum so that the draft :frame mayswing upwardand rearward for the purpose of transmitting movement to portions fof the mechanism carried by the frame 1 The lower ends oi' the U-shaped frame 14 -are`turned outward forming a spider that carries a ring 56, and this fits within a second .ring 57that'is in the form of an angle bar in cross section, in' order that it may rest and vturn ontharing 56. Secured to the outer'sides of the ring 57 'at'v diametrically opposite' pointsare'bars 59, the rear ends of whiehare permanently secured tothe forward portion of the main frame A. This mechanism'constitutes a turn table or steering connection betweeiithe two frames, so

that the draft frame asv a whole may be turned at any angle to the main vframe in steering between crookedrows, or in turning the machine after the end of a row is reached. Where the rows are perfectly straight. itis sometimes 'desirable to lock the turn table andpre'vent independent rotative movement of the rings', and for this purpose the two rings are provided with openings 60 which may be 'brought into. alinement with each other, and which are arranged to, re-

'ceive a lockingpawl 61 lthat is pivoted on a bracket 62 proiectingfrom the outer face of the ring 57. This. pawl is held in locking position by-a helical tension spring 63 and the tail 64 of the pawl forms a handle by which it may he moved out' of lockingr engagement with the rings. Wlien moved to release position,.the spring 63 crosses the center of the pawl pivot, so that the pawl is held inunlocked position and the rings will be free for independent rotative movement. As an additional locking means aset screw 65 is tapped through bosses in the upper ring 57, and is arranged' to bear against the periphery of the inner ring 56.

The main frame A is oblong iniplan` and is formed preferably ofbchannel bars or I-beams, welded or otherwise permanently secured to form a rigid structure. The'forward bar'of th'-,` frame tapersslightlytoward the center and is permanently secured by bolts or similar fastenings to 'the lower rear end of the'arched bar 16. 1N ear .the rear` end of thedrame, each of lthe side bars is provided with an approximately semi-circular arch70 and to the inner faces of these" iso 70 the'link 24 and king bolt 15 and-frame 14, a but if-the link 24V isdisconnected fromfthe are secured bearing blocks 71, in which is journaled the rear axle 72 of the machine, this rear axle being provided at its ends with spindles, on which the rear wheels 11 are mounted.

On the forward portion of the main frame A is a platform 117 on which is mounted a motor or prime mover 118, the driving or actuating shaft. 119 of whichv is connected to a differential or compensating device denoted generally by the numeral 120, the said differential or compensating device being connected to the respective drivin wheels 11 in any desirable manner. The differential or compensating device is provided in order to .permit the power' to be transmitted proportionately to the two driving wheels, and in order to permit one or the other ofthe wheels to rotate faster than the other.

`Where both-the draft animals or other .traction means and the internal combustion engine are employed for the purpose of propelling the machine, it becomes necessary to control 'the operation of the engine and govern its power in accordance with the strain exerted by the draft animals. For this purpose a governing device of anysuitable type isV applied to the engine, and, in the present instance, is indicated by avalve 126, but it is to be understood that this illustration is' merely typical, inasmuch as any4 governing means of ordinary type may be used, such, for instance, as acontrollinfr valve applied to the carbureter or to the inlet port of the engine, or. a device for controlling the exhaust by holding the exhaust valve open at times, or by the employment of any ordinary centrifugal governor, and a means for adjusting the sensitiveness ofr the governor.' In ,any case a governing meansis. connected' by a link 127 to Lthe draft gear 40.

vThe draft gear 40 inthe present instance comprises a pair of Usshaped bars 128 and 129 disposed opposite to each other and carl rying betweenthem a lhelical compression spring 130. Theforward bar 128 has a bracket 131 for connection with the link 127,

and is further provided with carrying bracket for the cable guiding sheave 41. The rear bar' 129 has an arm 132 that is pivoted to a pin l133 carried by a truss frame 134 that is rigidly-secured to the forward portion of the main frame.

When the machine is ascending a grade,

u the strain on the draft animals is necessarily more severe than when traveling on a level surface or descending a grade. The spring 130 of the draft gearl y,will then be compressed to an extent depending 'on the draft and theV movement will be transmitted through the link 127 to the engine governor. The governor will then operate to allow the engine to run with increased speed or increased power, as bypcrmitting the tiow of a larger quantity of fuel to the engine, so that when strain on the` draft animal is severe, the horse power of the engine is increased, and when the strain on the draft animal decreases, the power of the-engine is connected to the propelling wheels, and a draft means for the frame and connected with the motor to increase or decrease the power transmitted to the propelling wheels upon the tension of the draft means being increased or.decreased.

l 2. In combination, a frame having propelo ling wheels, an engine-carried by the frame and connected to said propelling wheels, a draft means for the frame, and an engine governor controlled by the vdraft means to increase or decrease the power transmitted to the propelling wheels upon the tension of the draft means being' increased or decreased.

3. Injcombination, a frame having propelling wheels, an engine connected to the propelling wheels, a draft. means for the frame, and automatic equalizing means connecting the cngineand draft means to increa.se or decrease the power transmitted tothe propelling wheels upon the tension of the draft means being increased or decreased.

4. .In combination, a frame having propelling wheels, an engine mounted upon the frame and connected to the propelling wheels, a draft means for the frame, and

jthrottlegoverning means for the engine operatively connected with the draft means to increase or decrease the power transmitted to the propelling wheels upon the tension of the draft means being increased or decreased.

5. In combination, a frame having propelling wheels, 'an engine connected to ythe propelling wheels, a draft means for the frame, a compensating connection between the draft means and the engine, andan engine governor under thecontrol of the draft means to increase or decrease the power. transmitted to the propelling wheels upon the tension of the draft means being increased or decreased.

6. In combination, a frame having propelling wheels, an engine carried by the frame and connected'to.- said propelling wheelsfa draft means forthe frame and automatic power governing means for the engine operatively connected with the draft means and a compensating connection between the draft means and the automatic governing means,

-whereby the power transmitted to the propelling wheels is increased or decreased upon thetension of. the draft means being 'ingear connecting the draft means to Vthe frame, an engine governor, and a governor controlling device connected to the draft- .gear to increase or decrease the power transmitted to the propelling wheels upon t-he tension of the draft means being increased or decreased.

8. In combination, `a frame having propelvling wheels, an engine mounted on the frame and connected to said propelling wheels, a draft means for the frame, a spring draft gear connecting the draft meansto the frame, a governor for the engine, and a governor controlling device connected to the draft gear to increase or decrease the power transmitted 'to the propelling wheels upon the tension of the draft means being increased or decreased.

9. In mechanism of the class described, a pair of swingletrees arranged one in advance of the other, a draft rigging, a sheave car.

ried thereby, and flexible connections extending around the sheave to the swingletrees to thereby equalize the strain on the draft' animals, and an engine governed by the strain upon the draft rigging.

l0. In a device as described, a longitudinally movable beam, a draft member connected with said beam, a second draft member located in advance of the. first said draft member, 'means connecting said draft members together whereby the forward movement of one draft member will prodnc a rearward movement of the other* member,

and 'an engine governed by the vdraft means and means for operatively connecting the engine-with the beam. l 11. In a device as described,A a frame, a steering mechanism, a steering frame connected with said steering mechanism, means for adjusting the angle of said steering frame when the steering mechanism is in .)pcratiom'a draft means for the frame, and an engine mounted on the said frame and governed by the draft means to increase or decrease the power transmitted by the said engine upon the tension of the draft means being increased or decreased.

12. In a device as described, a cross bar, a pair of levers pivoted to said cross bar, a vdraft member connected with the inner ends of said leversa cross piece located in ad'- vahce of said cross bar, connections between the outer ends of said levers and the ends of said cross piece, an eno'ine, and means connecting the levers with t e engine to govern the same.

13. In avehicle provided with horse attaching means, a motor, means for driving said vehicle from said motor, and means coacting with said horse attaching means adapted to vary the power supplied by said motor in proportion to the pull'upon the horse attaching means, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature -in the presence of two witnesses.

LUTHER THEODORE VELEN. Witnesses:

y C. A. G. SUNDsTRoM, A roorr BERGHEIMnR. 

